The fast evaluation of pulse duration within the range 0.2 - 50 ps is
reported. The durations of the pulses in the range 0.2 - 50 ps are sho
wn to be easily assessed with the aid of a system consisting of an aut
ocorrelator, which determines the autocorrelation function of ultrasho
rt laser pulses from the noncollinear SHG of the radiation investigate
d, and a linear CCD array recording the spatial distribution of the ra
diation.